By Karen Brownlee

STARS signs agreement with Saskatchewan government for medical helicopters

Apr 6, 2011 | 10:43 PM

More are coming on board to financially support Saskatchewan having medical helicopters as the provincial government signs an agreement with the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS).

Mosaic announced it will provide $5.5 million as Husky Energy, Rawlco Radio and Enbridge also stepped forward to contribute. Crescent Point Energy also put up $5 million. It is expected other corporate donors will be announced in the near future.

The helicopters will be used to fly critically ill and injured patients. Most of those patients would be in rural and remote areas of the province.

The provincial government is contributing $5 million this budget year, but is expected to put up another $10 million in the future. Additional costs will be paid for through fundraising by STARS, a non-profit organization, as well as contributions from citizens and companies.

The helicopter service should be running by 2012. It will be in southern Saskatchewan by spring and central and northern Saskatchewan by autumn.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

13h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

19h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

The helicopters will be used in addition to the airplanes based in Saskatoon and operated by Saskatchewan Air Ambulance. More than 100 ambulances travel Saskatchewan's road providing service.

news@panow.com